Heavenly Sunbeams. 'The shadows fall, and eventide comes on; 89 Divine energy is exerted on behalf of his people under all circumstances, but especially do we appear to see it in times of affliction, suffering, and death. It is divine power that takes away the sting of death, and removes dread of the king of terrors;' and it is Christian faith that sees Jesus-that sees him as my friend, my Saviour, my companion, my deliverer, my helper, my hope, and as my 'ALL IN ALL.' How desirable it is to possess clear spiritual vision, so that by the eye of faith we may apprehend the Unseen. Mrs. Ayrton's earthly life is ended, and in heaven she beholds Jesus 'face to face,' in a sense infinitely superior to any in which she ever saw Jesus on earth 'There we shall see his face, And never, never sin.' 17. THE WORDS OF MRS. JANE Dixon, OF LEEDS. 'Unshaken and Unspeakably. After having served God for about thirty years this good woman was brought to death and to the house appointed for all living,' and it was when 'just on the border of the grave' she was asked by her husband (Rev. E. Dixon) if she still retained her confidence in the Lord, and she said it was 'unshaken.' There can be no doubt but that sin, the world, and Satan had all striven to shake her confidence in God's love, God's power, God's goodness, and God's providence; but she held fast her faith-faith in God, faith in Christ, faith in the Bible—and was thus counted by God himself as a follower of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.' In her experience we see the sufficiency of divine grace to support in death as well as in health and life. On April 15, 1874, which was her last day in the wilderness, her sister said to her, 'The Lord is good to you,' and she replied, unspeakably;' and this was the last word she uttered before entering the promised land. Probably, when the fact of God's goodness was named to her, both her heart and lips were divinely inepired to say, 'unspeakably.'. On that goodness she had often meditated, and of that goodness she had often spoken both in public and in private. And for fifty-eight years it had followed her through life, and now, while her mortal remains rest in Woodhouse cemetery, Leeds, her happy soul still shares in the goodness of God, for she lives with those whose privilege it is to see the King in his beauty, and to 'behold the glory' God has given to Jesus. She lives among the saints who have conquered their last enemy, where love cannot be shaken, and where divine goodness shall be the eternal theme of the heavenly harpers. 'O, hasten then the day To bear my soul away Far from this world of bitter pains and fears, Where faith is lost in sight, And God's own hand shall wipe away my tears.' 18. THE WORDS OF MRS. MARY LLEWELLYN, OF STOCKPORT. 'I am ready, only waiting till He call Feb. 14, 1797, was the day on which this God-fearing and peaceable follower of the Lord Jesus Christ began the life which terminated April 24, 1865. From the year 1839 to the day of her removal to heaven she was identified with the Church, of her choice. During her very brief affliction she was frequently visited by some of God's servants; and it was to her class leader, who pointedly asked her if she was ready to go to be with Christ, she said, 'I am ready,' &c. It was by the grace of God she had obtained a meetness for heaven; and the same grace had enabled her to bear many afflictions and to gain many a victory over opposing influences. It is of infinite importance to be ready to leave this world for a better-to be ready to leave earth for heaven, and nothing less than a thorough change of heart, a new creation, can impart a sure and certain hope of going to be 'for ever with the Lord.' 'The bridegroom cometh,' and it is well to have oil in our vessel, and to have on the wedding garments, so that whenever he shall come or call we may be found waiting, for 'Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.' The first call we have to leave sin for ri ghteousness is a call from God, and the Christian call from the wilderness to Canaan is from Christ. The same voice that calls us into the Divine service calls Christians to take their seat in glory-to take full possession of the 'inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.' Therefore, as death approaches the believer he has no need to fear, 'For all are yours, ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's,' and as the earthly house falls down, we may truthfully exclaim, 'Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.' God has given his people Heavenly Sunbeams. 91 this light to guide them and to support them in what would otherwise be a dark and gloomy hour. 'Therefore, I will not shrink, E'en though upon the brink Of death I stand within the shadowy vale ; My hope is in thy Word, Thy Word is true. No promise then shall fail. As the Christian's confidence is centred in Christ, The Rock of 'This anchor shall my soul sustain, Ages,' When earth's foundations melt away.' In her 19. THE WORDS OF MRS. BETSY KAYE, OF PRESTON. Happy! Happy!" July 19, 1874, was the day on which this pious female, of 64 years of age, went up the shining way to see and praise the Lord,' and the pearly gates of the celestial city were thrown open to receive her into the heavenly paradise. We cannot tell what were the first words she uttered in heaven. But her biographer (Rev. W. Antliff, D.D.) says that on earth her last audible words were, 'Happy! Happy!' For about 43 years previous to her death she was recognised as one of those persons mentioned in the Book of Psalms, Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.' Christian relationships she was happy, in the enjoyment of fellowship with God she was blessed, in her association with the people of God she was happy, and in her labours in God's vineyard she was happy. No wonder, then, that she was happy in her moments of death, for 'the righteous hath hope in his death.' After having served God for so many years, and resting only on Christ for salvation, she could not fail to be happy; for true religion ever exerts a tranquilising influence in the heart of its possessor. It is only New Testament religion that saves from the terrors of a guilty conscience, and diffuses a holy calmness and peace throughout the soul of the saint on earth. In prospect of a better world, a happier home, and a more enduring substance, the people of God are happy when dying. In the present life they get frequent draughts from the river of the water of life, and as they near the borders of the heavenly Jerusalem by faith they see the city with its glories. 'Rejoicing now in earnest hope I stand, and from the mountain top Rivers of milk and honey rise, In endless plenty grow.' It was on a Sabbath day that Mrs. Kaye (relict of Rev. Robert Kaye) went to join the innumerable company of the saved in heaven, a company of which all are happy, always happy, and for ever happy. May the sentiments expressed by a pious poet be our motto through life 'Be all my heart, be all my days, So that whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.' 20. THE WORDS OF MRS. EMMA ROBSON, OF HULL. 'I have no fear of my acceptance with God. So said this eminent woman of about thirty summers, to her pious husband, a short time before her voice was lost in death.' From her childhood she had made religion the great and grand principle of her life; hence a short time before her death she said to her father (H. Hodge, Esq.), 'Religion has been the principal thing with me all my life.' It was, therefore, no matter of surprise that she had such an assurance of her acceptance with God. The Christianity which saved her rendered her blessedly remarkable in the Church of Christ, and prompted her to Christian usefulness both in and out of the Church of her choice. The doctrine of divine assurance of our acceptance with God is plainly and definitely set forth in Scripture, and for ages has been held by the people of God. Enoch had this testimony that he pleased God.' St. Paul said he knew 'in whom he had believed,' having reference to his saving faith; and it is still the privilege of God's people to have the Holy Spirit to bear witness to their spirits that they are the children of God. It was on June 30, 1869, that Mrs. Robson was divinely led through the Jordan of death; but death was an introduction in her case to endless life. It was what some of our old divines used to call 'the ship that carries the Christian safe to Emmanuel's land.' Her days on earth were few, but her life was well spent-spent in the best service, doing the best work, enjoying the best freedom, and living in possession of the best love, and participating in the highest honours; and her affections, her services, and her all were accepted by God for the sake of Christ Jesus, for Heavenly Sunbeams. 'Saints are lovely in His sight; He sees their hope, He knows their fear, 93 And Divine inspiration says, 'No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.' 'Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill; For Thou art with me, and Thy rod And staff my comfort still.' With the assurance of our acceptance before God, we may exclaim, 'O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' Hallelujah! 21. THE WORDS OF MRS. ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, OF MANCHESTER. 'I have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. At the age of 46 years this devoted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ died on June 26, 1853, bid farewell to all her earthly friends, and went to join the Church triumphant-a Church free from anxiety, cares, distress, or war. At the age of about 19 years she joined the Church militant, and for 27 years 'fought the good fight of faith,' and maintained an honourable position amongst the followers of Jesus Christ. She was amongst those who considered the poor and relieved the distressed. The welfare of Zion was not overlooked by her, but with a liberal heart and an open hand her hospitality was visible; but for the salvation of her soul her only hope was in the blood of the Lord Jesus. All the victories she achieved in the Christian warfare were through Christ. Often she had, when in health and strength, contended with the powers of darkness; and now as her physical strength declines, and she is hastening toward the grave, she still finds that divine strength is according to her day,' and in her dying hours is enabled to say, 'I have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,' victory over sin; victory over the flesh; victory over the world; and victory over Satan, for all these are enemies to the Christian. And it is possible to obtain victory over our spiritual foes, but only through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Church in David's time exclaimed, 'Through God we shall do valiantly,' &c. St. Paul, in his day, said, 'Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' It is possible to conquer our enemies, however numerous or formidable. ་ |